The Notch pathway: A new therapeutic target in atherosclerosis?

Abstract

The Notch signalling is a fundamental pathway involved in the modulation of cell proliferation, survival, and in stem cells maintenance. The crucial role played by Notch in tumour onset and progression has made it amenable to cancer therapy. Several clinical trials are currently testing safety and efficacy of combination treatments of existing cancer therapies with Notch inhibitors. Notch receptors and their ligands play a major role in the modulation of a plethora of biological functions of macrophages, endothelial, and vascular smooth muscle cells, particularly under inflammatory conditions. Data obtained by us and other laboratories provide compelling evidence that the Notch signalling, by affecting the biology of each cell type involved in atheromatous plaque formation, has the potential to become a new biomarker and/or therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.